Concern over a controversial guest speaker leads to review

Hastings and Prince Edward school board officials are investigating how disgraced pathologist Charles Smith was allowed to speak to a Grade 11 law class at PECI in Picton last Friday.

“We are reviewing the process used to come to a decision to have him (Charles Smith) present to the students,” said Rob McGall, director of education. “This review will result in a system based approach.”

Smith worked in the pediatric forensic pathology unit at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children for 24 years and was once considered top in his field. He Smith conducted more than 1,000 child autopsies and was called to testify in cases involving suspicious deaths and alleged child abuse.

In 2007, a coroner’s review concluded Smith made questionable conclusions of foul play in 20 of 45 cases, 13 of which had led to criminal convictions.

After the findings were released a public inquiry was ordered into the doctor’s practices. The inquiry concluded Smith “actively misled” his superiors, “made false and misleading statements” in court and exaggerated his expertise in trials.

“This is not the type of person we want to make presentations to our students,” said McGall. “As a system our parents expect us to take a close look and make decisions thoughtfully so we can eliminate a negative impact on the school and community.”

Kerry Donnell, communications officer for the board, said she was surprised by Smith’s visit to PECI. She agrees Smith wasn’t an appropriate choice for a guest speaker.

“Mr. Smith is a guest presenter that we wouldn’t have readily invited in,” said Donnell. “An alternative could’ve been to bring in someone who was involved in his legal situation. There are all kinds of consequences that we see are a result of him being in the classroom. Some of those people impacted by his actions live in our community.”

“It’s created quite a stir not one were happy to be at the centre of and were taking very seriously to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” said Donnell.

Donnell said this situation has shown the school board that their process needs changing. All of the eight post secondary schools in the Hastings Prince Edward school district will be affected by this change.

“What we will be moving towards a system based process,” said Donnell. “Every school will need to follow the same process for guest speaker approval. Potentially controversial speakers will need approval from the superintendent.”